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18 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 19, 2008 . www.oakvillebeaver.com How to Get Emergency Medical Care This Holiday Season If you have an emergency this holiday season, go to the Emergency Department. With Flu Season upon us, the Emergency Department is particularly busy, so you may have to wait. Patients are seen by a doctor in order of their need, not their time of arrival. Please be patient. Know When it's an Emergency Doctor's offices often have reduced hours during the holidays and Emergency Departments are always extra busy at this time of the year. Sometimes it is difficult to know whether your problem is serious or not. Here are just a few* examples of when you require emergency medical care - and should go to an Emergency Department. · when you are experiencing pains or tightness in the chest · when you have severe pain · when you have shortness of breath · when a person is choking or having difficulty breathing · when you think you may have fractured or broken a bone, or have a wound that may need stitches · when you have sudden, severe headaches, vision problems, sudden weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking or dizziness · if your child has diarrhea and vomiting and won't eat or drink · when a baby under six months has a fever over 38.5 degrees Celsius or 101 degrees Fahrenheit Hospital Visiting Guidelines Patient care is our primary concern at Halton Healthcare. Specific visiting hours have been established for each patient care unit. Please check ahead for visiting hours or check our web site, www.haltonhealthcare.com. The holiday season is also the flu season. Please do not visit patients in the hospital if you are feverish, have a sore throat, have a cold, the flu or any other contagious illness. Washing your hands is one of the best defences against disease. We encourage everyone to wash their hands, upon their arrival and departure, at the convenient hand washing stations located throughout the hospital. Be Prepared for the Holidays You can often avoid problems by simply being prepared. Here is a checklist to consider: · Call your doctor's office and your local pharmacy to find out what their hours will be over the holidays. · Get a flu shot: Your family doctor can offer this service or refer you to the nearest clinic. · Prescriptions, medication and medical equipment: Make sure that everyone in your family has enough of their medications, both prescription and nonprescription, to last over the holiday season. Don't forget needles, alcohol swabs, etc. Also check inhalers, respirators, oxygen, and glucose testing machines. · Batteries: Have extra batteries on hand for equipment such as electric wheelchairs. · Medical checkup: If you're due for a checkup or tests, try to schedule them before the holidays. · Update all emergency telephone numbers and post them in a visible place (e.g. your refrigerator). · Remind visiting family members and friends to bring their health card and health insurance information. *If you have any doubts, call 911. The ambulance will take you to the appropriate Emergency Department. What to Bring to the Emergency Department It is important that you bring your OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) card, your Hospital card, as well as information about any private health insurance coverage you may have. If you are on medication, please bring a complete list of medications you are taking including the names, dosages and directions for use. If in doubt, bring your medications along with you so you can show them to the Triage Nurse at the hospital. Call Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000 TTY: 1-866-797-0007 Telehealth Ontario gives you immediate and free access to a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means quick, easy access to a qualified health professional, who can assess the seriousness of your symptoms and help you decide what to do. If you are advised to come to the hospital Emergency Department, you will be re-assessed by the Triage nurse in our Emergency Department upon arrival to determine the urgency of your condition. Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre For information on or access to in-home, community-based or long-term care services, please contact the Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) at 905-855-9090 or toll free at 1-877-336-9090. Best Wishes for a very happy, healthy and safe Holiday Season! OAKVILLE-TRAFALGAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL · 327 REYNOLDS STREET · OAKVILLE · ON · L6J 3L7 · 905-845-2571